US4213344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing dynamic focussing and beam steering in an ultrasonic apparatus
Assignee: Krautkramer Branson Inc
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Filing: 1978-10-16
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Granted: 1980-07-22
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Expires: 1998-10-16
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic lens having nonuniform cross sectional thickness is disposed in the path of an ultrasonic energy search beam traveling from a transducer probe to an object to be examined. In an alternative embodiment the lens has at least one contoured surface. As the lens undergoes motion in a plane substantially normal to the direction of the search beam, the search beam exhibits a varying focal zone depth and beam path for providing real time ultrasonic scanning of the examined object.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph L. Rose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/221; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/30; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8909; G01S15/8915; G01S15/8918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An ultrasonic apparatus for changing the path and focal zone length of an ultrasonic energy search beam comprising: ultrasonic energy transmitting means coupled for transmitting an ultrasonic energy search beam toward an object to be examined; acoustic lens means interposed in the path of said search beam from said transmitting means to the object, said lens means having a contoured groove surface for changing the focal zone length and the path of said search beam, and motive means coupled to said lens means for causing said search beam responsive to motion of said lens means in a plane substantially normal to the search beam path to change focal zone length and beam path in a predetermined scan pattern to cause a scan of the object portion in the path of said beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An ultrasonic apparatus for changing the path and focal zone length of an ultrasonic energy search beam comprising: ultrasonic energy transmitting means coupled for transmitting an ultrasonic energy search beam toward an object to be examined; acoustic lens means interposed in the path of said search beam from said transmitting means to the object, said lens means having a contoured groove surface for changing the focal zone length and the path of said search beam, and motive means coupled to said lens means for causing said search beam responsive to motion of said lens means in a plane substantially normal to the search beam path to change focal zone length and beam path in a predetermined scan pattern to cause a scan of the object portion in the path of said beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasonic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said lens means having a nonuniform thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An ultrasonic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said motion being rotational motion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasonic apparatus as set forth in claim 3, said rotational motion being at a uniform speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ultrasonic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said lens means being a plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said transmitting means and the object being at a predetermined fixed distance apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An ultrasonic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said transmitting means cyclically transmitting said search beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ultrasonic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said lens means including ultrasonic energy receiving means disposed for receiving echo signals from the object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said ultrasonic energy transmitting means being coupled for undergoing motion relative to the object.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of changing the path and focal zone of an ultrasonic energy search beam comprising: transmitting an ultrasonic energy search beam toward an object to be examined; disposing acoustic lens means having a contoured groove surface in the path of said search beam, and causing said lens to undergo motion in a plane substantially normal to the path of said search beam for changing the focal zone length and the path of said search beam in a predetermined scan pattern to cause a scan of the object portion in the path of said beam.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of changing the path and focal zone of an ultrasonic energy search beam comprising: transmitting an ultrasonic energy search beam toward an object to be examined; disposing acoustic lens means having a contoured groove surface in the path of said search beam, and causing said lens to undergo motion in a plane substantially normal to the path of said search beam for changing the focal zone length and the path of said search beam in a predetermined scan pattern to cause a scan of the object portion in the path of said beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as set forth in claim 10, said lens means having a nonuniform thickness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as set forth in claim 10, said lens means being a plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as set forth in claim 10, said motion being rotational motion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as set forth in claim 13, said rotational motion being at a uniform speed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-22 | 1984-01-21 | 1984-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-22 | 1988-01-21 | 1988-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-22 | 1992-01-21 | 1992-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |